Surface cleaning apparatus having a fluid distributor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses face inefficiencies in both liquid delivery and recovery systems, particularly in ensuring consistent fluid distribution and effective separation of debris from air streams, leading to suboptimal cleaning performance and extended drying times.
Innovation Solution
The surface cleaning apparatus incorporates a fluid delivery system with a spray bar assembly and a recovery system featuring an air/liquid separator, along with a diverter assembly for switching between on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning modes, utilizing a centrifugal pump and solenoid valves for controlled fluid flow and separation of air and liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional fluid distributor is used, then the structure is simple, but the fluid distribution is inconsistent across the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distributor is segmented into multiple spray bars with multiple nozzles arranged in parallel rows. Each spray bar independently distributes fluid across a portion of the surface, ensuring uniform coverage. The segmentation of the fluid delivery system into discrete spray units allows for consistent distribution while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray bars are positioned at different locations and angles to address specific local requirements of the surface. Nozzles are strategically positioned to target areas with different soil accumulation patterns, providing localized optimization of fluid distribution while maintaining overall system simplicity.
2Productivity
If the cleaning apparatus operates at high speed, then productivity increases, but the cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple spray bars are arranged to provide continuous fluid distribution along the entire width of the cleaning path. This ensures that every portion of the surface receives consistent fluid application regardless of the speed at which the apparatus moves, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while enabling high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid is distributed onto the surface before the suction nozzle passes over it, allowing the cleaning fluid to penetrate and loosen soil in advance. This preliminary action ensures effective cleaning even at high speeds where contact time is minimized.
3Productivity
If the suction nozzle is positioned close to the surface, then debris removal efficiency increases, but the risk of clogging and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray bars act as intermediaries between the fluid supply and the suction nozzle. They distribute cleaning fluid across the surface, creating a liquid barrier that facilitates debris suspension and transport to the suction nozzle without requiring direct contact between the nozzle and the surface, thereby reducing clogging and damage risks while maintaining removal efficiency.
4Area of stationary object
If more spray bars and nozzles are added, then fluid distribution coverage increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spray bars are designed with universal mounting configurations and standardized nozzle patterns that can be applied across different widths and applications. This multi-functional design allows the same basic spray bar structure to serve multiple purposes and cover various surface areas, increasing coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures consistent and even fluid distribution across surfaces, improving cleaning performance and reducing drying times by up to 50%, while enhancing the separation of debris from air streams, resulting in more efficient cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
The inlet channels collectively defining a set of inlet channels that fluidly couple the first reservoir with the second reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a source of suction in fluid communication with the working air conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface
Implementation Method 3
a recovery system featuring an air/liquid separator, along with a diverter assembly for switching between on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning modes, utilizing a centrifugal pump and solenoid valves for controlled fluid flow and separation of air and liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus (10) is provided with a fluid delivery system (12) for delivering a cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. The fluid delivery system (12) includes one or more fluid supply tanks (34) for storing a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid distributor (38, 88, 500) for applying the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid supply conduit for delivering the cleaning fluid from the fluid supply tank (34) to the fluid distributor (38, 88, 500).